Ohio Bill To Require Genital Examination For Athletes Suspected Of Being Trans Advances

A new Ohio bill that would allow for genital exams to be administered if the sex of a student was disputed is being debated by Ohio’s state representatives.

Bill 151 is meant for any student who decides to go into sports, and their gender is disputed.

Critics say that the law specifically targets transgender youth unfairly.

State Rep. Jessica Miranda (D-Ohio) said abuses could come about from the law, which passed the Republican-controlled Ohio House.

“We stand to protect all children from child sexual abuse … as state-sanctioned child sexual abuse, which we believe this particular piece of legislation is,” Miranda said.

According to the bill, if an athlete’s birth-assigned sex is under question, they would have to undergo a physician’s examination both internally and externally.

Testosterone levels and analysis of the athlete’s “genetic makeup” will all be examined.

CANAPI, an LGBTQ activist organization, released a statement, calling the bill a “tragic example of both a denial and loss of human rights.”

Rebecca Callahan, CANAPI’s executive director, criticized the bill for its blatant discrimination and violation of LGBTQ rights.

“This bill is not based on any scientific or empirical evidence, it is based on bigotry and hatred,” she said.

Other state Republican parties have also been working on anti-LGBT laws. The Texas GOP recently endorsed an anti-LGBT platform.